RMC Product Reviews
Reviews of great new products for the scale model railroader, presented by the staff Railroad Model Craftsman staff and updated monthly. To have your products considered for review, please send samples to:
Railroad Model Craftsman
Attn: Harry K. Wong
P.O. 16673
San Francisco, CA 94116
November 29, 2017
Lionel Trains Pennsylvania Flyer Starter Set
O gauge, in general, is still one of the best size trains with which to introduce a potential rookie to model railroading. Both the size and rugged qualities of these traditional trains and tracks lend themselves well to the youngest of potential rail barons while, admittedly, the tech incorporated into the newest 3-rail starter sets provide an appealing multi-sensory experience to which the latest generation has already become so accustomed.
October 18, 2017
Rapido’s Pocket Streamliner: Budd RDC in HO Scale
Rapido has captured the look of the Phase 1b SP-10 on the day it entered service, complete with pilots (panels to enclose the space beneath the couplers are included along with a bag of other assorted detail parts for modeler installation as desired), the train indicator boards, and even the Nathan 3-chime air horns.
September 5, 2017
InterMountain Railway SD40-2 in N Scale
The new InterMountain Railway Co. N-scale SD40-2 diesel is a good looking model. InterMountain has taken the time to try to get details on these models right.
August 10, 2017
Southern Pacific Water Cars in HO Scale by Albrae Models
Southern Pacific modelers and collectors of interesting rolling stock will find these new HO scale brass imports from Albrae Models ideal.
July 13, 2017
Amtrak’s Siemens Cities Sprinter ACS-64 in N Scale by Kato
With the addition of the ACS-64 to Kato’s already impressive list of 1:160 scale Amtrak equipment, the passenger train-oriented N-scaler can easily keep pace with the ever-changing rail industry.
April 12, 2017
Westerfield Models Union Pacific S-40-1 Stock Car in HO scale
Westerfield kits, by virtue of using molded urethane resin for most of their components, require a bit more experience and patience to complete successfully. The end result is a detailed, properly weighted and free rolling HO-scale model of a widely used, early 20th Century railroad stock car.
March 30, 2017
Northern Pacific Mini-Hy Cube in HO by Tangent Scale Models
The Mini-Hy Cubes, while limited to only a few original owners, do represent a very colorful and interesting prototype that saw service across many different U.S. railroads and, therefore, are perfectly suited for inclusion in almost any consist dated from late 1967 through the 1980s era.
February 14, 2017
Athearn TrailerTrain Flatcar and UPS Trailer in N scale
Athearn is releasing detailed new N scale models of TrailerTrain F89F flatcars and UPS 40-foot drop-frame trailers later this year. Railroad Model Craftsman gives you a sneak peak at these exciting new products for contemporary modelers.
January 18, 2017
Tom Yorke Conversion Kit in O Scale
Tom Yorke has been producing exceptional O scale kits since the 1970s. The reviewer found it interesting how easy it was to convert a non-scale item like the Lionel disconnect trucks into scale by simply converting the wheels and coupler.
December 19, 2016
Tangent Scale Models PRR Class G43 Gondola in HO
Tangent’s new G34 gondola, available in Pennslvania, Penn Central, and Conrail, would be right at home on nearly any North American railroad from the 1960s to the present.
